Bedspring



D. C. TRAVIS BEDSPRING May 31, 1938.

Filed Feb. 11, 1955 Hummm. 'QM

EMI/anja# lllllllll Patented May 31, 193s A 2,119,368

UNITED STATESy PATENToFI-ICE BEDSPRING Don Carlos Travis, Kenosha, Wis., assignor to Simmons Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation o! Delaware Application February 1l, 1935, Serial No. 5,992 13 Claims. (Cl. 5-267) This invention relates to improvements in bed tudinally extending rows are aligned, as indicated, springs and more particularly to a top construcwith border springs respectively secured to the tion designed especially for use in connection with ends of the border frame. In the illustration, inner spring mattresses, although not restricted only one corner portion of the bed spring is il- 5 to association with inner spring mattresses. vlustrated but it will be readily understood that 5 The main object of the invention is to provide the opposite end portion will appear exactly the a bed spring construction which will afford a firm same as the illustrated portion except in reversed but nevertheless sufficiently resilient support for arrangement. a mattress especially of the inner spring type. Each longitudinally extending row of springs Another object is to provide an improved bed has associated with it a frame or grille structure 10 spring top construction of the type referred to designated I Il. Such frame structure includes a which may be produced economically and which pair of flexible straps II, II which are preferably will be eiicient and durable in use and which will of thin strap metal. Intermediate adjacent present an attractive appearance so as to faclllsprings 9 in each row, the straps II, II are conl tate the sale thereof. nected by means of cross members such as I2, the

Other objects and advantages of the invention latter having their end portions underlying straps will be understood by reference to the following II and pivotally secured thereto by means of specication and accompanying drawing wherein rivets, or preferably eyelets, such as indicated at there is illustrated a bed spring embodying a I 3. The cross straps I2 thus serve to hold the 2o selected form of the invention. strap pairs II in predetermined spaced, substanno In the drawing tially parallel relation. Fig. lis a plan; The straps II, II of each longitudinally ex- Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 oi Fig. l; and tending spring row, overlie opposed side portions Fig. 3 is a perspective of a portion of one eleof the top of the spring row and said straps are ment of the improved structure. formed with portions designated III, Id bent 25 Referring now to the drawing, the improved downwardly so as to embrace underlying side bed spring structure therein disclosed includes a portions of the top coils of the respective springs border frame 5 which which may in this instance 9. The downwardly bent portions I4, I 4, as best be considered as being formed of angle iron arshown in Fig. 2, form inverted U-shape portions ranged with one flange disposed in a horizontal which embrace the side portions I5 of the top coil 30 plane and another ange depending vertically Springs 9- At llfle 10We1 edges 0f the downwardly from the outside edge of the horizontal top flange. bent 01 leg POI'OUS 0f the inverted U-Sheped A plurality of axially vertical coil springs desigformation, there are formed outwardly extending nated B are arranged around the inside of the ledges I6, I6 and the portions I4, III are provided border frame and each of such coil springs has its with elongated openings or slots II which are 35 top coil provided with a loop portion 1 which ex located intermediate the respective ledges IB and tends outwardly beneath the horizontal flange of the plane of the bottom surfaces of the coil porthe angle iron border frame. The loops 1 of the tions I5. By reference to Fig. 3J it will be seen border springs 6 receive rivets such as indicated that the described inverted U-shaped formation at 8 which are anchored in the horizontal ilange is produced by merely stamping the straps II and ai, of the border frame and serve to rigidly secure the withoutcutting or otherwise material weakening top coils of the border springs 6 to said border the same. The inverted U-shaped portions of frame. Other arrangements for anchoring the the straps become rigid and relatively inflexible border springs 6 to the border frame may be and are proportioned to snugly t the opposite employed if preferred. A plurality of coil springs side portions of the top coils of the spring 9, 45 9 arranged within the area bounded by the so that the straps II, II will be firmly and acborder springs 6 are so disposed as to form rows curately positioned with respect to the adjacent aligned with oppositely disposed border springs. springs 9 in each row. In this instance, the inner coil springs 9 are so v For anchoring the top coil portions I5 in the arranged as to form rows extending both length- U-shaped portions of the straps II, there are pro- 5o wise and transversely of the bed spring structure. vided anchoring straps I8 which extend trans- In the present instance, the springs 9 will be reversely of the rows substantially diametrically of ferred tas forming rows extending longitudinalthe respective springs of each row. The said ly of the bed spring, i. e., in the direction of the anchoring straps I8 extend through the openings greatest length of the bed spring and such longi- I1 in the inverted U-shaped portions of the straps 55 II so as to be interposed between the spring portions I5 and the said ledges I6, thereby locking the spring portionsl I5 in the-housing formed by said U-shaped portions of the straps II. To prevent displacement of the anchoring straps I8, the end portions I9 thereof are bent downwardly and inwardly around the respective outermost ledges I6, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Such bending of the ends of the straps I8 may easily be accomplished manually and it may be facilitated by providing holes I 9B in the ends of the straps in the zone of bending thereof. The anchoring straps I8 thus not only serve to lock the coil springs to the straps II, but also to prevent spreading thereof.

The straps I I which overlie adjacent marginal portions of adjacent spring rows are resiliently connected together by means of helical springs 20, 20 of suitable length and formed with hooks which may conveniently be engaged with the eyelets or tubular rivets I3, I3.

'Ihe ends of each of the straps II are resiliently connected by means of helicals such as indicated at 2I with the border springs 6 which are aligned with the respective rows, the top coils of such aligned border springs being preferably formed with ears or loops 22 which facilitate the connection of the springs 2I to said border springs 6 and serve to maintain said helicals 2| in predetermined position substantially in axial alignment with the lengths of the marginal straps I I. As indicated, the helicals 2l are provided with hooked ends which engage the ears 22 of the border springs 6 and which engage suitable openings, such as indicated at 23, in the adjacent ends of the straps II.

The cross members I2 of the outermost rows of springs 9 are provided with outwardly projecting end extensions 24 and said extensions are provided with openings indicated at 25. Helical springs 26 provided with hooks at their opposite ends are stretched between the end extensions 24 of the cross straps and adjacent side border springs. Since the cross straps I2 are located intermediate the springs of each row, it is convenient to connect the sides of the outermost rows to the side border springs by means of coil springs 26 arranged in pairs, the springs of each pair being arranged in diverging relation, as shown.

Any suitable form of body support may be provided. Inasrnuch as the present invention is concerned only with the top construction, no bottom structure is illustrated but it will-of course be understood that there is associated with the border frame5 a main supporting base frame which carries suitable cross straps or other means for supporting the lower ends of the coil springs 6 and 9.

The described structure may be advantageously used in combination with inner spring mattresses, especially for the reason that ample top surface area is provided to adequately support the springs of an inner spring mattress. Because of the comparatively small spaces intervening between ad jacent portions of the various straps, it is not possible for the springs of an inner spring mattress to become displaced because of lack of support. Although there is adequate support provided as explained, the bed spring is nevertheless resilient so as to avoid impairment of the` comfort qualities of an inner spring mattress. The straps II being ilexible metal straps, permit localized bending to conform to localized weights applied to the bed spring, and inasmuch as the rows of springs 9 are resiliently supported by means of the connecting helicals 20, 2l and 26, they may shift transversely or longitudinally or in a lateral direction, as may be required, as an incident to localized compression of the mattress. The metal strap elements II, I2 and I8 are of sufficiently strong but quite thin material so as to avoid the addition of an objectionable amount of weight to the bed spring structure. All of the said elements are to be understood as being of suilicient flexibility to permit bending and yielding under the application of localized pressures.

Changes in the described structure may be made without departing from the spirit oi the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim:

1. In a bed spring, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in a row, a pair of elongated, substantially parallel, relatively, ilexible straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of the row and each anchored to a portion of each spring in the row, and means comprising a plurality of spaced, short straps extending transversely of said row intermediate said springs and anchored at the ends thereof to said elongated straps to maintain the same in said substantially parallel relation.

2. In a bed spring, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in a row, a pair of elongated, substantially parallel, relatively flexible straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of the row and each anchored to a portion of each spring in the row, means comprising a short strap extending transversely of the row over each spring and anchored at the ends thereof to said elongated straps to maintain the latter in operative relation to the springs, and means comprising other short straps anchored at the ends thereof to said elongated straps intermediate adjacent springs to maintain the same in said parallel relation.

3. In a bed spring, a border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil border springs respectively disposed adjacent said border frame and having their top coils anchored to said border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in rows aligned with oppositely disposed border springs, strap means forming a grille, said grill being disposed over the top of one of said rows of springs and secured thereto, and means resiliently connecting the opposite ends of said grille to said oppostely disposed border springs.

4. In a bed spring, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in a row, a pair of substantially parallel, elongated, relatively Ilexible straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of the row, said elongated straps each having opposed marginal portions bent to embrace portions of the top coils of said springs underlying the strap portions intermediate said opposed marginal portions, means connecting the bent marginal portions of said straps below the embraced coil portions to anchor the straps to said coils, and means for maintaining said elongated straps in said parallel relation comprising a plurality of short, transversely extending straps anchored at the ends thereof to said elongated straps intermediate said springs.

5. In a bed spring, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in a row, substantially parallel flexible straps respectively overlying the .marginal side portions of the top of the row.

said straps each having opposed marginal portions bent to embrace portions of the top coils of the springs underlying the strap portions intermediate said opposed marginal portions, said bent strap portions being provided with apertures extending therethrough below said top coils, and cross members extending through said apertures and having end portions bent to anchor the members against displacement from said openings, said cross members serving to anchor said top coils in said bent strap portions.

6. In a bed spring, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in a row, a pair of substantially parallel flexible straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of the row, said straps each having marginal portions bent downwardly so as to embrace oppositely disposed portions of the top coils of the springs between said downwardly bent marginal portions, said downwardly bent marginal portions having sidewise extending ledges formed on their lower edges and having aligned openings extending therethrough above said ledges and below the embraced coil portions, and cross members extending through aligned openings of said pair of straps so as to lock said embraced coil portions to said marginal overlying straps, said cross members having end portions bent around the respectively outwardly extending ledges to anchor themembers against displacement from said openings.

7. In a bed spring, the combination of a. borderirame, a pair of axially vertical coil border springs disposed inside of said border frame adjacent opposed portions thereof and respectively having their top coils anchored to said border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs arranged in a row extending between said bor# der springs and in alignment therewith, a pair of substantially parallel flexible straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of said spring row, said straps each having marginal portions bent downwardly so as to embrace oppositely disposed portions of the top coils of the springs between said downwardly bent marginal portions, said downwardly bent marginal portions having sidewise extending ledges formed on their lower edges and having aligned openings extending therethrough above said ledges and below the embraced coil portions, and cross members extending through said aligned openings of said pair of straps so as to lock said embraced coil portions to said marginal overlying straps, said cross members having end portions bent around the vrespective outwardly extending ledges to anchor the members against displacement from said openings, and means resiliently connecting the ends of said straps to the respectively adjacent border springs.

8. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality of border springs arranged in spaced relation around the inside of the border frame and respectively having their top coils secured to said border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs disposed in relatively spaced relation within the area surrounded by said border springs and arranged in rows respectively aligned with oppositely disposed pairs of border springs, flexible strap grilles associated with the tops of each of said spring rows and each comprising a pair of flexible straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of a spring row, a cross member underlying the top coils of each spring in the row, extending transversely of the row and secured at its ends to said overlying straps, said cross member serving to lock said overlying straps and springs in assembled relation, cross members connecting said marginal straps intermediate adjacent springs of the row, said last mentioned cross members of all of the spring rows being disposedin longitudinal alignment transversely of the direction of said rows, resilient means connecting adjacent ends oi said aligned cross members, and means resiliently connecting the ends of the overlying straps of each `spring row with oppositely disposed border springs.

9. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality of border springs arranged in spaced relation around the inside of the border frame and respectively having their top coils secured to said border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs disposed in relatively spaced relation within the area surrounded by said border springs and arranged in rows respectively aligned wth oppositely disposed pairs of border springs, relatively independent flexible strap grilles associated with the tops of each of said spring rows and each comprising a pair of flexible side straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of a spring row, a cross member underlying the top coil of each spring inthe row, extendingl transversely of the row and secured at its ends to said overlying straps, said cross members serving to lock said overlying straps and springs in assembled relation, cross members connecting said marginal straps intermediate adjacent springs oi.' the row, said last mentioned cross members oi' all of the spring rows being disposed in longitudinal alignment transversely of the direction of said rows, resilient means connecting adjacent ends of said aligned cross members, means resiliently connecting the ends of the overlying straps of each spring row with oppositely disposed border springs, and means resiliently connecting the outer sides of the grilles overlying the outermost spring rows to adjacent border springs.

10. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs disposed in relatively spaced relation and arranged in rows within said border frame, independent, exible strap grilles secured to the tops of each of said spring rows and'each comprising a pair of spaced, relatively flexible side straps respectively associated with the marginal side portions of the top of a spring row, and cross members connecting and maintaining said straps in relatively fixed relation to each other, spring means which serves to provde a reslient connection between the ends of the side straps of each grille with adjacent portions of said border frame and other spring means which serves to provide a resilient connection between the outer sides of the grilles overlying the outermost spring rows to adjacent portions of said border frame.

l1. In a bed spring, the combination of a border frame, a plurality of axially vertical `coil springs disposed in relatively spaced relation and arranged in rows within said border frame, relatively independent, flexible strap grilles associated with the topsof each of said spring rows and each comprising a pair of flexible side straps respectively overlying the marginal side portions of the top of a spring row, a cross member underlying the top coil of each spring in the row, extending transversely of the row and secured adjacent its ends to said overlying straps, said cross members serving to lock said overlying .straps and springs in assembled relation, and means resiliently connecting the ends of the side straps of each grille with adjacent portions of said border frame.

12. In a bed spring, a frame, a'plurality of axially vertical coil springs disposed Within said frame so as to dene a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally extendingrows, and a grille structure overlying the upper coils of each of a plurality of said rows of springs, each of said grille structures comprising a pair of spaced, generally parallel, elongated strap members which are maintained in spaced relation by short, transversely extending cross straps ailixed at the ends thereof to said elongated straps, said elongated straps forming a part of each of said grilles being anchored to a marginal edge portion of at least some of the springs in the row with which said grille is associated, said grilles comprising separate, unitary structures and being resiliently connectedto each other and to said frame.

13. In a bed spring, a frame, a plurality of axially vertical coil springs disposed within said frame so as to dene a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally extending rows, a grille structure overlying the upper coils of each of a plurality of said rows of springs, each of said grille structures comprising a pair of spaced, generally parallel, elongated straps which are maintained in spaced relation by short, transversely extending cross straps affixed at the ends thereof to said elongated straps, said elongated straps forming a part of each of said grilles being anchored to opposed marginal edge portions of the top coils of at least some of the springs in the row with which saidv grille is associated by other short straps afxed at`the ends thereof to said elongated straps, said grilles comprising separate unitary structures and being resiliently connected to each other and to said frame.

DON CARLOS TRAVIS. 

